The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

Trent Leonard, Sports Editor

All content by Trent Leonard
Sports editor Trent Leonard revisits predictive hits and misses

Sports editor Trent Leonard revisits predictive hits and misses

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 20, 2020
Gallagher caught 25 passes for 491 yards and rushed 36 times for 392 yards as a freshman at Laurel Highlands.

Rodney Gallagher receives Pitt football offer

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 17, 2020
Rice transfer and Pitt target Trey Murphy III announced his commitment to Virginia Monday with a video on Twitter.

Pitt target Murphy III chooses Virginia

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 13, 2020
Luke Pletcher wrestles Pitt's Cole Matthews during a dual meet in November.

OSU’s Luke Pletcher joins Pitt wrestling staff

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 8, 2020
Michael chooses Elon, Pitt eyeing Murphy III

Michael chooses Elon, Pitt eyeing Murphy III

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 7, 2020
Heather Lyke addressed a group of local reporters via Zoom Thursday to discuss Pitt Athletics’ adaptations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heather Lyke talks uncertainty, adaptations amid COVID-19 restrictions

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 2, 2020
Ben Howland took over as Pitt’s Men’s Basketball head coach in 1999 and built the Panthers into a contending team on the national stage.

March 27, 2003: Dwyane Wade ends Howland era

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 27, 2020
John Hugley (left) and Jalen Hood-Schifino (right) both hold four-star rankings and are currently committed to Pitt basketball's class of 2020 and class of 2022, respectively.

Pitt’s future is bright with Hugley, Hood-Schifino

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 26, 2020
Pitt led the nation with 3.92 sacks per game during the 2019 season.

Making the case for Pitt’s defensive line

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 24, 2020
Sophomore guard Trey McGowens decided to transfer from Pitt.

A requiem for Trey McGowens’ time at Pitt

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 19, 2020
Femi Odukale hails from Brooklyn and is currently a senior at Massachusetts' Springfield Commonwealth Academy.

2020 guard Femi Odukale commits to Pitt

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 17, 2020
ACC Commissioner John Swofford issued a statement regarding the conference's cancellation of athletic activities.

ACC officially cancels spring season

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 17, 2020
Sophomore guard Xavier Johnson (1) announced he plans to continue playing for Pitt for his junior season.

Xavier Johnson quashes transfer rumors

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 16, 2020
Ryan Murphy shoots a corner three against Boston College.

Ryan Murphy to enter transfer portal

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 15, 2020
ACC Commissioner John Swofford issued a statement regarding the conference's cancellation of athletic activities.

ACC to suspend all athletic activities

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 12, 2020
Pitt’s top two safeties, redshirt junior Paris Ford (pictured) and Damar Hamlin, chose to return to the team rather than going pro.

Pitt football holds first spring session of 2020

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 3, 2020
Senior Deven Herbine achieved a career-high 9.850 on beam at Monday evening’s meet with Southern Utah.

Pitt scores season-high 196 in loss to Flippin’ Birds

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 25, 2020
Pitt sophomore transfer Ithiel Horton averaged 13.2 points per game as a first-year player at Delaware.

Horton earns high praise from Capel, Johnson

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 25, 2020
In reading Pitt’s press release, the NCAA’s public announcement and its full violation document, former Pitt men’s basketball coach Kevin Stallings’ name is not mentioned.

Unpacking the silly and the serious in Pitt’s NCAA violations

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 21, 2020
First-year forward Justian Champagnie put up 30 points during Saturday’s 73-64 victory over Georgia Tech.

Champagnie headlines Pitt’s weekly award winners

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 12, 2020
Junior center Terrell Brown at Saturday’s 73-64 victory over Georgia Tech.

Can Terrell Brown be Pitt’s Brook Lopez?

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 11, 2020
Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi called the NCAA "nonexistent" in his Zoom press conference Monday

‘I’m here at Pitt’: Narduzzi squashes MSU speculation

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 6, 2020
Saturday will mark Pitt women’s basketball’s 13th annual Pink the Petersen game.

Pitt to host Florida State in 13th annual Pink the Pete game

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 29, 2020
Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant at the final game of his career in 2016.

Capel on Kobe: ‘It’s like a superhero dying’

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 28, 2020
The Panthers are bringing back 17 starters, including defensive studs Paris Ford, Jalen Twyman, Damar Hamlin and Patrick Jones II, for the 2020 season.

A way-too-early prediction of Pitt’s 2020 season

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 23, 2020
Pitt football's ACC schedule was revealed Wednesday.

Full 2020 Pitt football schedule announced

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 22, 2020
In Matt Canada’s one season overseeing the Pitt offense, the Panthers set a school record by averaging 42 points per game.

Former Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada hired by Steelers

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 16, 2020
Senior safety Damar Hamlin (3) takes the Boston College halfback off his feet during Pitt’s 26-19 loss to the Eagles.

Damar Hamlin granted fifth year, will return for 2020 season

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 15, 2020
Jim Covert celebrates the retirement of his number, 75, from Pitt Football. Heather Tennant | Staff Photographer

Pitt legend Jimbo Covert selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 15, 2020
Sophomore wide receiver V'lique Carter (19) pulls in his first receiving touchdown catch out of a streak from the backfield during Pitt's 17-14 win over Delaware.

Pitt back V’Lique Carter to enter NCAA transfer portal

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 14, 2020
First-year guard Amber Brown attempts to push through Notre Dame’s defense.

What to watch for in Pitt sports this week

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 14, 2020
The Panthers are now 6-0 when sophomore guard Trey McGowens scores 20 or more points.

By the numbers: Pitt basketball’s paradoxical season

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 10, 2020
Kevin Kramer, the Max Scherzer lookalike, was a pitcher on the Pitt baseball team during the 1990s.

Kevin Kramer: Pitt pitcher turned Scherzer look-alike

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 7, 2020
Pitt football hasn’t reached a season above eight wins since 2009.

Hope, expectations and the dilemma of Pitt football

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 6, 2020
First-year quarterback Joey Yellen will transfer from Arizona State to Pitt, becoming eligible for the 2021 season.

Former Arizona State QB Joey Yellen to join Panthers

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 2, 2020
Xavier Johnson (1), pictured here against Robert Morris, led Pitt with eight assists against Canisius.

Pitt offense goes off in 87-79 win over Canisius

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 2, 2020
Junior guard Ryan Murphy made three of his seven 3-point attempts against Binghamton Friday night.

Pitt basketball bulldozes Binghamton, 79-53

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
December 20, 2019
The Panthers accepted an invitation to play in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit against Mid-American Conference opponent Eastern Michigan on Dec. 26.

Pitt to face Eastern Michigan in Quick Lane Bowl

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
December 8, 2019
First-year guard Dayshanette Harris (1) accounted for 26 of Pitt’s points during the Panthers' 78-73 loss to the Nittany Lions.

Harris’ big night not enough in 78-73 loss to PSU

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
December 6, 2019
Coach Narduzzi’s Panthers have yet to win a postseason bowl game.

Pinstripe, Military, Belk Bowl Pitt’s likeliest options after disappointing finish

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
December 3, 2019
Xavier Johnson ranks seventh on the Panthers' with a field-goal percentage of 31.4%.

Is Pitt basketball’s glass half empty or half full?

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
November 18, 2019
Pitt's players celebrate in the student section after beating North Carolina on Thursday night.

Pitt ends Carolina Curse in overtime thriller, 34-27

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
November 15, 2019
Pitt football's ACC schedule was revealed Wednesday.

Prediction: Pitt to overcome its Achilles Tar Heel

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
November 14, 2019
Satire: Completely reasonable expectations for Pitt basketball

Satire: Completely reasonable expectations for Pitt basketball

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
November 6, 2019
Pitt must win its next three games to have a chance of returning to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the ACC Championship game.

Rest-of-season outlook, bowl projections for Pitt football

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
November 5, 2019
Senior receiver Maurice Ffrench, pictured here against Ohio, caught a career-high 11 passes in Pitt's 20-10 win over Georgia Tech.

Defense carries Pitt over Georgia Tech, 20-10

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
November 2, 2019
First-year setter Lexis Akeo (1) received her fifth ACC Freshman of the Week honor on Monday.

Pitt volleyball takes No. 2 spot — and is still climbing

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
October 29, 2019
Redshirt sophomore Todd Sibley Jr. (23) stiff-arms Miami sophomore safety Amari Carter (05) to fight for extra yards before being shoved out of bounds.

Football Takeaways: Panthers suffer self-inflicted setback to Miami

By Trent Leonard and Stephen Thompson
October 27, 2019
Taysir Mack comforts Aaron Mathews on the sidelines following Pitt's 16-12 Homecoming loss.

Hurricanes spoil Homecoming, beat Pitt 16-12

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
October 26, 2019
Junior Cami Moreno transferred from Pitt after the tennis program was discontinued and now plays at the University of South Alabama.

Tennis transfers settle into new homes after Pitt

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
October 24, 2019
Lebron James answered questions about the NBA’s current tension with China at a press conference on Monday.

Column: LeBron is all for activism — until it’s an inconvenience

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
October 16, 2019
First-year forward Amanda West (9) provided the tiebreaking goal for Pitt in overtime.

Pitt women’s soccer snaps ACC winless streak, beats BC 2-1 in OT

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
October 11, 2019
JUCO transfer guard Ryan Murphy prepares to shoot during an offseason workout.

“Don’t call me Ryan” Murphy could be the marksman Pitt needs

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
October 1, 2019
V'Lique Carter catches a touchdown pass to put Pitt up 7-0.

Short-handed Panthers narrowly escape over Delaware, 17-14

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 28, 2019
Senior receiver Maurice Ffrench makes his way into the end zone for Pitt’s second touchdown against UCF.

Pitt Special: Trickery lifts Pitt over No. 15 UCF, 35-34

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 21, 2019
Junior quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is tackled for a loss right outside of the Penn State goal line.

Film Study: Reliving Pitt’s goal-line collapse

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 19, 2019
Head coach Pat Narduzzi after Saturday’s 17-10 loss to Penn State.

Narduzzi presser: Looking past Penn State to UCF

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 16, 2019
Junior running back AJ Davis is tackled in the backfield.

Goal-line debacle costs Pitt in 17-10 loss at PSU

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 14, 2019
After getting shut out in the first quarter, Pitt turned in an exceptional second quarter to go into halftime 10-10 against Penn State at Beaver Stadium.

Halftime Update: Pitt and Penn State draw even at 10

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 14, 2019
Senior outside hitter Kayla Lund put away three crucial kills at the end of the first set.

Pitt volleyball is ready for its encore

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 11, 2019
Head coach Narduzzi enters Heinz Field before Saturday’s matchup with Ohio University.

Narduzzi press conference: Week 3

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 10, 2019
Sophomore Vincent Davis rushed for 247 yards on Thursday at Georgia Tech

Takeaways from Pitt football’s win over Ohio

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 8, 2019
Maurice Ffrench blows by the Ohio defense on his way to a 74-yard touchdown.

Ffrench connection leads Pitt football over Ohio, 20-10

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 7, 2019
Crissy Shannon is Pitt's first female drum major.

Crissy Shannon: Bending over backwards for Pitt band

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
September 5, 2019

Missed opportunities doom Pitt in 30-14 loss to Virginia

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
August 31, 2019
U.S. Women's Soccer captain and Delran, New Jersey, native Carli Lloyd waves to the fans at the end of a game.

Debunking all the reasons Carli Lloyd can’t break the NFL’s oldest barrier

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
August 29, 2019
Junior Damarri Mathis (21) is listed as a co-starter cornerback alongside junior Jason Pinnock.

Pitt football releases initial depth chart

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
August 26, 2019
Redshirt junior defensive lineman Rashad Weaver, 17, tore his ACL in training camp this summer. He will be sitting out this season.

What you missed in a summer of Pitt sports

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
August 25, 2019
Pitt’s backfield will likely be led by junior halfback AJ Davis (21).

Pitt Football faces uphill battle to defend Coastal title

By Trent Leonard, Senior Staff Writer
August 22, 2019
Pitt’s backfield will likely be led by junior halfback AJ Davis (21).

Panthers up for the challenge in football opener

By Trent Leonard, Senior Staff Writer
August 19, 2019
Junior quarterback Kenny Pickett scrambles during Pitt’s 2018 loss to Penn State.

Projecting Pitt football’s 2019 season

By Trent Leonard, Contributing Editor
June 5, 2019
Men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel has had difficulty picking up top-tier recruits for the class of 2019.

Time to panic about Pitt basketball recruiting?

By Trent Leonard, Contributing Editor
May 14, 2019
Dewayne Hendrix, pictured here sacking Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley in 2017, was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. (Photo by Wenhao Wu / Assistant Visual Editor)

Seven Panthers find post-draft NFL opportunities

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
May 2, 2019
Pitt football upset Penn State in 2016 with a last-minute interception and a final score of 42-39.

Stress-inducing moments from Pitt sports

By Trent Leonard, Staff Writer
April 22, 2019
Former Pitt defensive lineman Aaron Donald has committed a seven-figure donation to the Pitt Football Championship Fund.

Aaron Donald pledges 7-figure donation to Pitt football

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 17, 2019
Former Pitt running back and 2018 leading rusher Qadree Ollison made an appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” show Tuesday morning to discuss his view that Pitt is RBU.

Does Pitt have a case for Running Back U?

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 17, 2019
Pitt Athletic’s current website.

Column: A requiem for Pitt Athletics’ old online layout

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 16, 2019
Junior running back A. J. Davis (21) and sophomore wide receiver Shocky Jacques-Louis (18) celebrate during Pitt’s spring Blue-Gold game on Saturday.

3 takeaways from Pitt’s Blue-Gold Game

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 15, 2019
New York-style pizza and Boston lagers.

Sports fan bases that should share a beer

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 11, 2019
New York-style pizza and Boston lagers.

Sports fan bases that should share a beer

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 10, 2019
Virginia Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome hoists the championship trophy aloft as he walks off the court on Monday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Virginia defeated Texas Tech 85-77 in overtime to win the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

Virginia, team of destiny, wins National Championship

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 10, 2019
Sitkiatnin Muay Thai head instructor David Reese (right) assists with the blessing of the gym's ring by Thai Buddhist monks on Sunday morning. Sitkiatnin Muay Thai is a Thai boxing gym in the basement of 1918 Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill.

Sitkiatnin offers fitness, inclusion through Muay Thai

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 3, 2019
“Moneyball” is one of the greatest sports movies ever made, according to sports editor Trent Leonard.

Top five Brad Pitt sports roles

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
April 1, 2019
Ex-Panther and projected first-round 2019 NBA Draft pick Cameron Johnson, pictured here against Syracuse in 2016, led No. 1 UNC in scoring with 16.9 points per game during the regular season.

Panthers leave paw prints on NCAA Tournament

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 27, 2019
First-year Abby Edwards pitched against Ohio University during a March 19 game. This past weekend, the Panthers lost all three of their games against Virginia Tech.

Weekend Sports: Baseball, softball suffer sweeps

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 25, 2019
No. 4 redshirt freshman Micky Phillippi (pictured during a January 2019 match against Oklahoma State), 133-pounds, will advance alongside 184-pound No. 13 redshirt freshman Nino Bonaccorsi to the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship quarterfinals.

Phillippi, Bonaccorsi shine at Day 1 of NCAA Wrestling Championships

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 22, 2019
Ben Howland took over as Pitt’s Men’s Basketball head coach in 1999 and built the Panthers into a contending team on the national stage.

Highs and lows of Pitt’s time in the tournament

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 18, 2019
Ja Morant (12) of the Murray State Racers reacts after tipping in a shot in the second half against the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars at CFSB Center on Feb. 9 in Murray, Kentucky. Murray State won 86-55.

Best first-round NCAA Tournament matchups

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
March 18, 2019
Virginia head coach Tony Bennett's Cavaliers enter this year's ACC Tournament as the No. 1 seed for the second straight season.

National champs to pick, avoid in your bracket

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 26, 2019
Junior Dante’ Watson finished eighth in the 800m run and was part of the 4x400m relay team that took seventh place.

Lauray leads Pitt at ACC Championships

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 25, 2019
Senior guard and forward Jared Wilson-Frame (4), pictured here against Virginia Tech on Feb. 16, led all Pitt scorers with 19 points.

Panthers lose 22nd-straight road game at GT, 73-65

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 21, 2019
New Pitt commit Karim Coulibaly has competed for Mali's youth national team in international competitions.

Capel adds second 2019 recruit in Karim Coulibaly

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 16, 2019
Graduate guard Sidy N’Dir led the team in assists in the Feb. 9 game against NC State., and contributed nine points against Boston College Tuesday night.

Boston College deals Pitt 18th straight ACC road loss, 66-57

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 13, 2019
Four-star high school recruit Gerald Drumgoole, pictured here with head coach Jeff Capel during his official visit over the weekend, committed to Pitt Monday evening.

Four-star basketball recruit Gerald Drumgoole commits to Pitt

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 12, 2019
Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman hoists the Lombardi Trophy after the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams, 13-3, in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday.

Column: Patriots-Rams Snoozer Bowl was one to forget

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
February 5, 2019
Super Bowl LIII will be played at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams.

Q&A: Pitt grad Randy Lieberman prepares to host Super Bowl LIII

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 30, 2019
Senior forward Jared Wilson-Frame (4), pictured here against Duke, made eight of 16 3-pointers for a game-high 24 points in his final college game against Syracuse Wednesday night.

Clemson’s hot shooting deals Pitt fourth straight loss, 82-69

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 30, 2019
First-year guard Xavier Johnson (1), pictured here vs. Duke, was held to single-digit points for the second straight game against Louisville.

First-year phenoms lead Duke past Pitt, 79-64

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 22, 2019
First-year guard Xavier Johnson (1), pictured here against FSU, led Pitt with 18 points in the loss.

Column: Pitt basketball’s rebuild is ahead of schedule

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 15, 2019
The 61-year-old Whipple, who brings almost 40 years of coaching experience to the table, will look to mentor quarterback Kenny Pickett (pictured) in an effort to revitalize Pitt's 92nd-ranked offense.

Pitt football hires Mark Whipple as next offensive coordinator

By Trent Leonard, Sports Editor
January 14, 2019
Load More Stories